[X][job] … I'll come the first day, so I can start the following week after having rested a bit.
[X][free time] You have enough problems to deal with without taking on those of people you don't know.
-[X] or you could not deal with them and go shopping with Lucilia instead. It's not much but you were paid last week
[X][job] … I'll come the first day, so I can start the following week after having rested a bit.
[X][free time] You have enough problems to deal with without taking on those of people you don't know.
-[X] or you could not deal with them and go shopping with Lucilia instead. It's not much but you were paid last week
True, and a medical kit. On the other hand, we only have this weekend to figure out what types of magic we want to learn about before we pick our classes. Since both our votes are losing, perhaps we could come to an agreement?
True, and a medical kit. On the other hand, we only have this weekend to figure out what types of magic we want to learn about before we pick our classes. Since both our votes are losing, perhaps we could come to an agreement?
As she walked, she looked around to see her classmates; after all, she didn't really had the occasion when she came in this morning, and she hadn't dared look away from the instructor once she started talking. She located the two she ran into - quite literally for one of them - this morning. It would have been hard not to. The man had seemed decent, even though his reflexes had almost knocked her out, but the girl hadn't sounded all that nice. She also saw the same few she had noticed the previous day: the Elf, who didn't look interested in any of those around her, the stern Svartalf, the sun knight and another giant of a man - they weren't side to side so she couldn't be sure, but she was almost sure that were he standing straighter, he would be taller than the one she ran into by a good margin - whose limbs weren't organic but looked like those of a golem.
...
There were both options in her class, she noticed. Although most of her male classmates would be better described as burly, a few of them broke the mold. One such pretty boy walked alongside Dylis, who was apparently annoyed at something he did, and another was alone and walked with his head raised high. Finally, there was another who was following an exotic looking girl, but her eyes had trouble staying on him or actually describing him. He was… probably average looking? Or something? He looked… nice, she guessed. She felt her head ache again as she tried to ascertain anything specific about him, and finally abandoned.
[x][job] … I'll come the first day, so I can start the following week after having rested a bit.
[x][free time] You have enough problems to deal with without taking on those of people you don't know.
-[X] or you could not deal with them and go shopping with Lucilia instead. It's not much but you were paid last week.
Best Bard makes her return! Let's just hope we don't have to go looking for her in the place we found her last time
[][free time] You have enough problems to deal with without taking on those of people you don't know.
-[] those questions about magic, for instance.
perhaps?
Benefits of this vote:
1. If we can learn a communication spell, like telepathy, we could talk to our friends any time, and more easily choose who we fight alongside during the 'surprise' that is coming up.
2. We can hang out with Chloe! We saved her for a reason after all, and I think she'll be a lot more talkative when we're asking her about something she knows about.
3. Magic could allow us to fight much more effectively, keeping more of our friends alive.
[x][job] … I'll come the first day, so I can start the following week after having rested a bit.
[x][free time] You have enough problems to deal with without taking on those of people you don't know.
-[X] or you could not deal with them and go shopping with Lucilia instead. It's not much but you were paid last week
As someone who works in customer service, I'm biased towards not wanting anything to do with someone like that. Poor Lirra shouldn't have to deal with that on her off-hours.
[x][free time] You have enough problems to deal with without taking on those of people you don't know.
-[X] or you could not deal with them and go shopping with Lucilia instead. It's not much but you were paid last week.
Hm... I like shopping with Lucilla and meeting new people. But 'fulfilling our sworn obligations' is the tie-breaker for me. I feel bad for ignoring a plot hook, but we have a ton of plot hooks. Like our room-mate. And all our lost memory. And what's up with the possible golem girl. And so on. Also, this person said they would have the money in the end, not that they absolutely couldn't get it together. Plus, they're going to come back to the shop later for their item.
[x][job] … I'll come the first day, so I can start the following week after having rested a bit.
[x][free time] You have enough problems to deal with without taking on those of people you don't know.
-[X] or you could not deal with them and go shopping with Lucilia instead. It's not much but you were paid last week
[X][free time] You have enough problems to deal with without taking on those of people you don't know.
-[X] those questions about magic, for instance.
Although I would like for our dear heroine to go on a *totally not a date* with Lucillia, @Sentient Tree arguments on learning a bit of magic beforehand were convincing (I still remember that plan from a few months ago).
Also:
[X][job] … I'll come the first day, so I can start the following week after having rested a bit.
[X][free time] You have enough problems to deal with without taking on those of people you don't know.
-[X] those questions about magic, for instance.
Although I would like for our dear heroine to go on a *totally not a date* with Lucillia, @Sentient Tree arguments on learning a bit of magic beforehand were convincing (I still remember that plan from a few months ago).
Also:
[X][job] … I'll come the first day, so I can start the following week after having rested a bit.
Well, the good news is that it looks like you'll get to see the date this update. Hopefully once we've done that we can learn about magic tomorrow.
@Renu since it looks like we're probably going to be talking to Lucilia, should we vote for anything special we want to talk to her about? For reference, here's what I'm hoping to get done, alongside the cuteness of course.
[] Go on a date shopping with Lucilia!
-[] Ask whether she knows anything about the 'surprise' at the end of the second month. Has she asked any of the older students about it?
--[] What IS the 'surprise' anyway?
-[] Shop around for some useful stuff while you're here. Since you're both adventurers you can geek out over equipment together!
--[] Buy a First Aid Kit. You won't let any of your friends die! Especially Lucilia!
--[] If you have money left over, try to buy a shield. A Sword protects people, and you can't protect someone if you're dead or injured!
Tl: Dr for the vote:
Ask Lucilia about the 'surprise.'
Buy a first aid kit, and a shield if you have the money.
I think that Lirra would focus more on protecting her friends, and then realize that she needs to protect herself too, so I'm putting medicine and shield in this order. I can be persuaded to change that around though (assuming this vote is necessary, that is).
Since it's kind of been half a year, here's a rough summary:
You are Lirra, a Keeper of Gray, known more commonly as a Gravedigger. Your job is to make sure dead things stay dead. After everyone you knew and loved died, first by bandits then by plague, you decided to go to the Academy, an institution made to create heroes to battle the Dark, although nowadays it might have worked a little too well.
You decided to join the Gate of Swords, dedicated to training front line fighters and... it's a work in progress. The first trial was to reach the Academy, after they let Dark flood the forest surrounding it. Accompanied by three other women (well, girls, mostly) you managed... somehow.
Chloe (of the Gate of Stars) your mage got hurt and you left behind Lucilia (Gate of Cloaks) and Melkorka (Gate of Staff) to continue on their own while you rushed forward for help. You encountered Tanwen, who offered to save the mage in exchange for a life debt, to which you agreed to. That being done, you finally managed to reach the Academy mostly safe and sound, and enjoyed a good drink after which you passed out.
You decided to room with Tanwen despite your reservations as she knew the secret of your nature and didn't seem to care.
Classes started and left you exhausted but you met and somehow befriended a few of your classmates. Alvi, a friendly brute, Pupa, a unsettling cheerful girl, and Dylis, an energetic hero to be (although that last one doesn't take most lessons alongside you).
You tried to get in touch with the Echoes of the dead that reside within you and lost your memories of the week you tried that. A mysterious bowl was in your room after that. Created by your meditation or something you borrowed? You have no idea. Probably nothing important was lost.
After some Grave digging, you decided it was time to earn some money and, through Lucilia, got a job a Cuimideas, a generalist shop. You promised to have some fun in town again, and a week later, here you are.
[x][job] … I'll come the first day, so I can start the following week after having rested a bit.
[x][free time] You have enough problems to deal with without taking on those of people you don't know.
-[X] or you could not deal with them and go shopping with Lucilia instead. It's not much but you were paid last week.
---------------------------------
The streets were full in the late afternoon. Villagers and students alike milled around the plaza and the many streets that extended from it. Sitting on the edge of the massive fountain that had been built in the center of the square, Lirra watched the crowd. Her eyes idly inspected the colorful and varied looks that the academy students displayed. Despite the uniforms most of them sported - Lirra included - the personal touches hinting at their wildly differing origins and social standing made it so they were all unique.
Still, no matter how interesting crowd watching was, the Changeling wasn't here for that. The fact that her day was actually free had taken her by surprise and she didn't know what to do now that she'd given her answer to Melissa. She definitely had things to deal with. Questions about magic, now that some of her Echoes opened possibilities for her to know how to cast some spells, for one. There was also the matter of that mysterious bowl that had appeared after her attempt at meditation. Did it actually appear out of nowhere or did she get it during that week she forgot?
With all these question turning in her head, she decided that the best course of action was to ignore them all and spend some time having fun instead of worrying. It was neither the most responsible action nor what she was used to, worrier that she was, but didn't she come here to reinvent herself? She sure did. Also, the pie she had last week was amazing.
Lirra shook her head, catching herself before she started drooling. It wouldn't do to see a friend as a source of food, not matter how delicious. She did promise to have a look around the marketplace with Lucilia once she was paid, however, and while it wasn't much, she had received some money when she'd tried out at Cuimideas.
Her mind made. the Changeling got up and started walking around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the bard's distinctive red coat or, as the streets were rather crowded, her hat or the feathers that came from it. It took Lirra quite some time walking around to realise that the harbour town was actually surprisingly big and that finding a single person in it wouldn't be that easy.
It took her another quarter of an hour, this time interrogating any and all wearing the Academy's uniform, until she was pointed in the direction of a tavern where the less discreet Cloaks were known to gather.
A short walk later, she was in the wealthier part of the town. The smell of flowers once again chased that of the harbour. The houses were made of carved stone and small flags were dancing on the wind, held by long strings held between the two sides of the street. It was nothing like the more hodgepodge "whatever we could find that wasn't too well nailed or guarded" of the shadier parts or even the adequate wooden structures of the port. The townspeople were busy building stalls and a general atmosphere of eager anticipation filled the streets.
She could faintly hear a song coming from inside the tavern she'd been pointed to. As she timidly pushed the door open, the music could be heard more clearly. A woman was sitting on a chair, adroitly playing a beautiful lute as the rest of the room sat still, as if mesmerised.
"... running in Enantis, how I wish this dream could be
Oh, just running in Enantis, heroes gather onto me
We are running to Enantis, to that old place, to set it free
I am running to Enantis
The mind wants to know, the eyes yearn to see
Take me higher
Lift me higher with your gifts
I need fire
Pledge your everything if you will follow me
Talking of greatness will not suffice
Raise your heart and sword, for our lost legacy
All I want is that old place
Running in Enantis, running to Enantis..."
The song continued on like this before reaching its end. It was an old, well known favorite in Emoulin, so much that even Lirra knew it almost by heart:
Countless generations before she was born, went the story, the kingdom spread much further to the north. There stood the plains of Enantis, an endless expense of meadows where the greatest horses to ever grace this world lived alongside a noble and powerful people. All that changed when the Fallen Sliver crashed down. It ruined the earth and corrupted the land, crushing cities and villages alongside their inhabitants.
The proud warriors attempted to fight this new darkness, but deprived of their mounts and hopes, the Enantian found their strength lacking and they had to flee south, under a darkened sky and the constant attacks of the horrors of the newly created dungeon. There, they cowered in deep and sunless forests where they first met the Fair Folk, and the rest, as they say, is history.
This song had been used many times as a rallying cry for Emoulin's numerous attempts at retaking its old territory. However, these crusades were more for pride and revenge than anything else, as the coming of the dungeon and the subsequent Nivian ritual that saw the range of Kimon pierce through the earth to block their border guaranteed that any land reclaimed would be little more than a wasteland.
Perhaps it was just in their nature to wish for what was lost. Lirra could certainly sympathise with the feeling.
"Lirra! I didn't expect to see you there, did you come for the music?" Lucilia's voice suddenly brought the Changeling out of her thoughts.
She'd probably seen Lirra as she was standing at the entrance and decided to come to her as she was lost in thoughts.
"Ah, uh… no, I actually came for you," she answered.
"Oh." A touch of pink could be seen for an instant on Lucilia's cheeks before she regained her composure. "Well… here I am. Come, sit and have a drink."
She made a few steps towards a table before turning back to Lirra who hadn't moved from her spot. Instead, the Changeling was glancing hesitantly at the sky outside then at the table.
"Um, I was maybe thinking we could go look around the town… for some nice shops?" Lirra nervously played with the hem of her hood. "If it doesn't bother you… since I promised last week, but if you're already doing something..."
"Well..." she looked behind her for an instant, at the assembled cloaks and the minstrel. "The song just finished, so why not."
She reached to grab her hat and coat, spun the former before putting it on with a flourish.
"Well excuse me, gentlemen, ladies..." she announced with an exaggerated bow. "But-"
"But you've got a type?" One of the cloaks interrupted with a smirk.
"But you're ashamed of us?" Another added.
"But you don't want to share?" Yet another one piled on.
"Uh..." Lucilia finished putting on her coat with no flourish, wind taken out of her sails. "Yeah. See you tomorrow."
Lirra watched on, her head slightly tilted, curious.
"Don't pay attention to them, they're idiots."
With that line, Lucilia stepped out of the tavern with her.
"So, where do you want to go?" she asked.
"Ah, well… I thought maybe I should look for a shield or a healer's satchel. We don't know when bad things might happen."
Lucilia seemed a bit disappointed at that, but nodded nonetheless.
"You could stand to have a little more fun, but very well. Do you have an idea of where you can go for that?"
As a matter of fact, she did not. The two girls ended up walking around the town in search of those items.
It took quite some time, in no small part thanks to Lucilia's constant insistence on making detours through various unrelated shops. Lirra didn't voice her complaints as she had asked for her company while the bard was already enjoying herself doing something else. Despite her earlier protestations, she quickly was taken into her rhythm and started enjoying herself.
They were well into the night when they were done. Thankfully, as they depended on the many Academy students for most of their revenue the harbour town's shops were open late during the week-ends, so that they could still serve those who had too much fun or trained during the day. Lirra, with a brand new hat, a gift from Lucilia, in one hand and candy floss in the other, was definitely part of the former. Still, she hadn't completely forgotten what she came for in the first place, and she'd spent a fair share of time looking for equipment.
Sadly, shields were currently well out of her price range. She'd need gold Firics if she wanted something that was worth getting over what was available at the Academy. It would be different if she needed any plank with straps because she needed to go away ready to fight, but a lack of equipment wouldn't be her first concern if such a thing happened.
The search for healing supplies, however, ended up much better. They'd found an alchemist's shop at the edge of the merchant's district, almost in the harbour, which was the shadier part of town.
The door creaked open as Lirra timidly pushed it. A ray of light came from outside, intruding in the darkness of the shop, reflecting on the various pots and vials lining every surface. A strong, acrid smell came out with a gust of wind, escaping from the confines of the room and Lirra wondered if she shouldn't do the same. Lucilia gave her a gentle shove forward before she could do so, and followed inside.
"Hello there, anyone in?" the bard called out as her eyes got accustomed to the feeble light.
Noises came from the back shop and a robed shape emerged, walking unsteadily towards the back of the counter.
"Oh… Khr… customers..." the shape started, with a gravelly, wheezing voice. It coughed. "Wel… hrrr… come. How may I… help you?"
The shopkeeper's voice did nothing to lighten the atmosphere of the shop. If anything, it made it even more disturbing, to the point that Lirra wondered if the various jars didn't contain the remains of previous customers. She took a trembling step in front of Lucilia.
"I'm looking for salves, bandages, and healing, uh… things," she said hesitantly.
The shape shook in what could have been a nod, before it walked around the counter.
"Ah, yes… health is…" it stopped as it was wracked with cough. "Important in…hrk... deed."
A shriveled, burnt hand started pawing at the displays.
"Now, where… have I put these? It's been a… cough… long time since I was asked for… this side of my… khhh… business." It brought a few vials closer to where its eyes probably were before putting them back. The movement repeated a few times before it apparently found what it wanted. "No… essence of… belladona… no… nightshade extract… no… stallion elixir… hah… hah… hrgk… hah… no… ah, there we…. are. Mithridates, pain… suppressors, and wakefulness… potion. I doubt you've… the means for… more potent brews… unless your… lady… friend… plans on… paying..."
The two girls watched it work in silent horror, until eventually Lirra broke the silence.
"Um… are you alright?" she asked timidly.
"Ah, how… hrgk kind of you… to ask. No, I'm afraid I'm… not." As if to illustrate, a series of coughs shook it again. "My brews are… potent but their fumes… are… hrgk... not conductive to… well functioning… lungs… or eyes or… skin… or anything… really."
Lirra nodded then the shop fell back into an awkward silence, broken only by the rummaging of the alchemist. Eventually, they apparently found all they wanted and put them on the counter.
"And there… you are." They coughed. "Bandages… anointed with… a preparation of… mine. Keeps them… sterile and… clean… mosty. For a long… time. Mithridates… useful against some… creatures or… hah… hah… my other… hrgk... customers. Wakefulness potion… for… these long studying… nights or… when sleeping is too… risky. All… thirty Creideats... each. The potion is… fifty."
Lirra approached the counter to take a better look at the goods. It didn't feel like the alchemist overpriced them, but all the same, she wasn't rich. She could buy a few things as her Firine was worth a hundred Creideats.
After a bit of deliberating, she made her decision and left the shop, followed closely by Lucilia.
"Well, that was a thing," the bard commented. "I wonder how much of it was his health and how much was spectacle."
As they walked out, the orange of the sky made way to a darker purple as the sun set over the horizon.
"Anyway, we'd better move back to the better part of the town with the night falling. We should be safe, but it's better not to risk it."
Lirra followed her up the street as mud and planks made way for rough stone and finally charming cobbled stone and the smell of fish and unwashed sailors was replaced by the delicate fragrance of the many flowers adorning the streets. Lamplighters walked through the streets, lighting lanterns with their long poles as people wandered to and from the various stands that had been built as the night fell.
"Um… shouldn't we go back?" Lirra asked, eyes raised to the night sky.
"No," Lucilia answered right back. "Now, it's time to have fun. The town holds some sort of festival during the week ends the first month after a new year begins at the academy. I mean, sure, it's probably to empty our pockets before we have to buy useful things, but we might as well enjoy ourselves while we can, right?"
And with that, she put a stick of candy floss into Lirra's hand before dragging her into the crowd. They spent some time looking around. The stands were mostly dealing in food and they boughts things here and there in lieu of an actual meal.
"Do you want some- wait, no, probably not a good idea."
They were in front of a tavern that had extended into the street. Many bottles and mugs were on display and, if the state of the people sitting around were anything to go by, they didn't contain water at all.
"But… alcohol's tasty..." Lirra complained as she bit what remained of some meat on a stick.
"True," Lucilia conceded. "But you can't hold your liquor."
"It only happened once," Lirra insisted, although it was more the atmosphere of the town rather than her truly wanting to drink that spurred her on. "I'm not a child."
The bard looked at her with doubt.
"You are in every way that matter," she finally answered curtly. "Be more careful," she added sighing, a sad expression overcoming her beautiful face for an instant before she chased it away.
Lirra was about to answer when minstrels started to play and Lucilia took that opportunity to drag her away with a "Look! Music!".
A wooden stage had been built in the plaza for people to dance on, and dancing they were indeed, to the tune of the minstrels playing to the side. It was a swirl of colors and sound as townspeople and aspirants alike stepped and twirled to the tune of the flutes and strings.
"Shall we?" Lucilia invited Lirra with a mock curtsey, hand held forward for the Changeling.
"Ah, I can't really..." she started before her tongue fell inert as if it was wood. That's right, Ilinca could, which meant that she could too… as much as she wished otherwise. "I'm not a great dancer," she finally finished.
"Who cares about that, just move to the music, come on!"
Lirra hesitated an instant before taking her hand. The rest of the night became a blur of sound and movement, as she danced with Lucilia. By the time the minstrels stopped playing, she was out of breath and laughing.
"Ah, it's nice to see you… really smiling..." Lucilia commented, out of breath too. "You should just let go and enjoy yourself more often."
She raised her hand to Lirra's forehead and put a stray lock of hair back in place behind the Changeling's ear in a smooth movement then froze for an instant when she pulled her hand back. She rubbed her fingers together before putting them behind her and made a grand gesture with her other hand.
"Well! Let's go to sleep now, it's late."
And with that she took off to the nearest inn, letting Lirra follow her. She quickly asked for two rooms and left Lirra alone after a short "Good night."
It was only minutes after she was left, when she pulled down her hood and passed her hand in her sweaty hair before rubbing the ashes away without thinking that she realised what had happened.
"Oh no..." she let out in a strangled voice.
[] [shopping] 30 Creideats - Buy the bandages (enough for 3 light wounds or 1 severe wound)
[] [shopping] 30 Creideats - Buy the mithridates (enough for 4 uses)
[] [shopping] 50 Creideats - Buy the wakefulness potion (enough for one sleepless night or one week diluted)
[] [shopping] Save up.
[] [action] Go to Lucilia
[] [action] Don't go
[Obtained hat, can cover your hair, although it's more likely that you'll be discovered compared to your hood. Would look great with a summer dress.]
